Vid noticed that these skeletons... were unusually slender, and those pale white skulls didn't look very large.
Delaine turned his head, his voice still clear and cold amid the heavy rain:
"We've investigated here, and this church was also once a base for Prometheus."
"The church used to recruit children with magic power under the guise of adopting war orphans... Ultimately, they all ended up here."
Amid the curtain of rain, in the depths of the pit, those skeletons seemed to silently accuse their tragic fate.
"Where are the people in the church?" Vid asked.
"There." Antoine raised his hand and pointed, saying: "They're all right there."
Not far from the pit, there was a mound of freshly turned earth, forming a low hill. The pouring rain washed it, muddy yellow water flowed freely, creating a muddy puddle on the ground.
Vid withdrew his gaze and stared at the intertwined small bones in the pit.
After a moment, he softly spoke, his voice unusually calm: "Bury them."
Antoine took a heavy breath, waved his magic wand, and the surrounding soil rolled over to cover the skeletons again, hiding the shocking scene.
"Damn it!" Antoine wiped his face, gritted his teeth, and said: "If only we could go back in time! I'd kill those bastards! Kill them all!"
Vid asked: "Didn't you get from the church priest who else was involved in this incident?"
Delaine shook his head: "The newest of these skeletons was buried at least ten years ago. The surrounding residents all moved here in the past ten years, nobody knows what happened before... The Muggles also destroyed all the records."
"What about the guy in there?" Vid motioned to the rough 'grave' beside him being drenched by rainwater.
"He was left as the guardian." Delaine said: "Although he also participated in the imprisonment and abuse, he's a fool who only remembers that the priest at the time was called 'Joe King.'
"Joking?" Vid frowned: "Sounds like a pseudonym."
Delaine's face became even darker, he slowly nodded: "Indeed a pseudonym... a malicious taunt."
"All clues are cut off." Antoine said irritably and gloomily: "That organization knows we're hunting them, they cut off their limbs faster than we thought! Those left behind know nothing!"
Vid looked at the rain curtain, sternly said: "If magic can't help us find clues, then we'll use a simpler method... to force them out!"
"What method?" Antoine asked.
"Carpet search." Vid said: "But first... I need to create more poppets, and I need a storm!"
...
"Knock knock!"
When the knock on the door sounded, Elise had just cut a flower branch and placed it in a delicate porcelain vase.
"Come in!" Elise raised her voice and said.
A gold-rimmed glasses-wearing assistant hurriedly walked in, laughed: "Elise, just as you predicted, our family's newspaper received multiple submissions today, all mentioning recent events!"
She put a stack of documents on the table, Elise wiped her hands and picked up the top submission.
[Just last Friday night, during a banquet held by Congress officials to welcome British Ministry of Magic colleagues, an appalling 'prank' occurred...
... Congress couldn't even trace the source of the signal! No one knows when that horrible scene will turn into reality!
We feel like fireflies trapped in a glass jar, with our every move clearly visible to the enemy, while we know nothing of the hunter in the dark!
... We can't help but ask, when Congress is helpless, who can solve this crisis? Who can save the Magic World and ensure we don't lose our protective information barrier?
Only one person—Vid Gray!
That Hogwarts genius who brought the Flow Mirror to this world, allowing us to see the youth in the Muggle World! When Muggles want to spy on us, perhaps only he can resolve it!
We appeal here, it's time to put aside bureaucracy and regional prejudice! Professional matters should be handled by professionals! Please Magic Congress...
Elise frowned: "They want Vid Gray to solve this matter?"
"Yes." The assistant said softly: "In several submissions we received, Vid Gray's name is explicitly mentioned. It seems... he is the chosen one."
Elise showed an enigmatic smile: "Chosen one? Are you sure?"
— Not right?
The assistant blinked, hearing the displeasure in her tone, wisely choosing not to speak.
Elise flipped through the remaining submissions, all quickly focused on Vid Gray after a brief description of the incident:
"Genius Alchemist," "Our Hope," "Dumbledore's Secret Weapon," "Next Nicolas Flamel"...
One praise after another, like daggers coated with honey and venom.
"Snap!"
Elise tossed the document onto the table, coldly said: "None of these reports are allowed to be published!"
"Also—" she turned to the assistant, slightly lifted her chin, said: "Contact the New York Ghost, Challenger, Somerville's Sentinel... In short, give everyone a heads-up."
"Tell them it's the opinion of the Vanderbilt Family—any reports involving Vid Gray recently should be withdrawn! As compensation, I'll provide them with enough reward!"
The Vanderbilt Family not only has its own publications, but also sells newsprint and ink. With a small population in the Magic World, convenient transportation, this business is basically monopolistic.
Therefore, Elise's promise carries significant weight.
After all, the name "Vid Gray" might boost sales a bit, but the price is simultaneously offending Magic Congress and the British Magic World, now adding the Vanderbilt Family makes it unwise.
In contrast, tangible interests are more appealing.
— Most media people have a keen sense of smell, they can easily discern whether an article conceals incitement or genuine concern.
"Should all media avoid discussing events of that day?" The assistant reminded: "Publishing unconfirmed incidents can also affect the newspaper's reputation. With a word, they should agree."
"No, it's unnecessary." Elise put on gloves, cut another section of flower branch.
She said: "We can present the public with the factual 'truths'. Weren't there many outstanding performances that day?"
"The unflappable Chairman Hosone, the courageous Ms. Picquery, and the decisive Director Hughes... They are the pillars of Magic Congress, truly deserving of the spotlight."
"What's the good of hyping an underage foreign wizard?" Elise raised her chin and said: "Let the outside world know our stance—the Vanderbilt Family, always stands on the side of maintaining order in the American Magic World!"
"Understood!" The assistant dutifully bowed: "I will get it done. Using positive reporting to guide public opinion is indeed more clever than simply closing off the news. However..."
She looked at Elise, blinked:
"Dear Elise, are you suppressing reports about Vid Gray because you dislike him? Or because you want to protect him?"